Members News

Items for the Members News section

Area 4 ACM and Magazine Editor

At the recent February committee meeting Rose Wasley was co-opted onto the committee as Area 4 ACM.

The club also welcomed a new officer into the role of Editor – Ray Williams (George Wilms on Facebook). Both Rose and Ray’s contact details can be found on the website under the ‘Who’s Who’ section.

The committee look forward to working with them both and welcome them into their respective roles.

Elaine Baker, Secretary

Past Rallies of the SOC

As requested by members to assist potential marshals, a new facility SOC PAST RALLIES is now available to view basic details of all the SOC rallies from 1971 onwards. This can be accessed via the RALLY INFO menu of the Members’ Area.

The historical rally data we have available, courtesy member Dave Coller, covers all rallies from the first one in 1971 up to the end of 2022 and will be refreshed annually.

Please treat this data as a reference guide only when looking for potential rallying venues. If you make an enquiry to a site and the information is found to be incorrect please inform the webmaster for listing amendment.
The information shown for each rally venue was accurate at the time the rally was run, over the years there may have been changes to site details/facilities etc or the site may no longer exist!

Webmaster

Message from Alan & Carol Druce

It is with deep sadness and much regret, that due to Alan’s increased mobility and breathing problems, we very reluctantly had to stop caravanning and sell our beloved caravan, and as such will no longer be full SOC members.  We will however, due to membership time and number of past rallies attended, become Honorary Life Members of the Club. 

Alan has volunteered his services to continue as Marketing Officer and as Rally Book editor, so we will not be totally excluded. 

Being an SOC member has given us a great deal of pleasure over the years with many very happy memories and friendships made, which will still continue. And we also intend to pay a visit to a future rally nearby at some time when possible. Many thanks to All for making our time with the Club so enjoyable.

Best regards and thanks to All,

Alan and Carol Druce

Geoff Rowe

I was very sad to hear that Honorary Life Member Geoff Rowe passed away last Tuesday (28th February) after a few days in hospital, just two weeks before his 90th birthday.

Back in 1971 Geoff and his wife Anne, from York, responded to an advertisement in Practical Caravan suggesting a meeting of Swift caravan owners with a view to forming an Owners’ Club. Geoff and Anne, along with 41 other couples, attended the meeting and that’s where the Swift Owners’ Club began.

Geoff and Anne are the only current members who attended the very first SOC rally at Alton Towers in August 1971. They rallied regularly over the years until they retired from caravanning and became an Honorary Life Members.

Geoff’s funeral will be held at York Crematorium, Bishopthorpe Road, Middlethorpe, York YO23 2QD on Monday 13th March at 11am.

John Brailsford, President

Rally 17: Kingfisher CP, Scotton, Knaresborough, Yorks, 15th – 21st May (6 nights)

There are still places available on this lovely site with lots to see and do in the surrounding area. On this 6 night extended rally, we have use of a hall for 2 nights and an optional rally meal.

Good walking in the area or why not row a boat on the river.

Places to visit nearby include Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripley, Ripon and just a little further York or Wetherby.

Sue & John Deuce, Marshals

Poitou-Charente Rally 2024

Please note that bookings will open for the French rally in August 2024 on Monday the 6th March. An updated booking form for members to download is available on the Rally Info/Overseas Rallies page.

The bank reference number on the form was amended on 5th March 2023.

Webmaster 

Draft Rally Programme 2024

The first edition of the Draft 2024 Rally Programme is now available. Please see under the ‘Rally Info’ to menu on any Members’ Area webpage.

Webmaster